The Jimi Hendrix of Turntablism

DJ Qbert

Although I’m unsure where and when this phrase came about, it has been used to refer to DJ Qbert on a number of occasions. DJ Qbert was born on October 7, 1969 as Richard Quitevis. He is often hailed as one of the most influential DJs of all time. An innovative and creative individual, DJ Qbert paved the way in using turntables as an elaborate musical instrument. One of the most notable accomplishments of Qbert would be that he invited the first musical annotation system for scratching, battling, and composing on vinyl. The experiences and success of DJ Qbert have had substantial impact on Filipino-American hip-hop culture making it an integral part of hip hop culture as a whole.

Career
Like any legend, he started his career in humble surroundings. In the 1980s, hip-hop culture began to evolve giving rise to what is now known as the turntablist. At the age of 15, DJ Qbert became involved in DJing and went on to compete in small DJ battles in his San Francisco community. He was recognized in the world-wide since 1985 but truly dominated the DJ scene in the early 90’s. During this time, DJs such as DJ Qbert made skratching into an art form, inventing new techniques and developing unique sounds that revolutionized hip hop culture. In 1990 he began a group called FM20 with Mix Master Mike and DJ Apollo. While doing a show in New York he was invited to the Rock Steady Crew. From there, DJ Qbert went on to compete in the 1992 Disco Mix Club World DJ Championships (DMC). His most notable crew was the Invisibl Skratch Piklz which he helped founded. They were the first to apply the concept that included the layering of drums, basslines, and scratch solos on top of each other. He also produced two solos Demolition Pumpkin Squeeze Musik in 1994 and Wave Twisters in 1998. Two of his more recent and continuing ventures are the Thud Rumble LTD and Qbert Skratch University.

Thud Rumble LTD. – Visit Site
An overview of Thud Rumble LTD. describes the company as a diversified media management company committed to showcasing and expanding the world of the skratch DJ. This company was founded by DJ Qbert and Yogafrog in 1996. Their dream was to push the “envelop of scratching as a science, an art, and an international culture.” It is said that this company is the key to transforming the world of Disc Jockey into a multibillion-dollar industry and is respected as one of the leading producers of independent works both in musical and other innovative processes.


Qbert Skratch University – Visit Site
This is a web-based video instruction site and community. Here you can pay $60 for 3 months. With this subscription you have access to a world-wide social network of DJs and receive DJ lessons from the renowned DJ Qbert himself.

DJ Qbert continues to play an active role in the DJ community today. As seen with his company, Thud Rumble LTd., and his online DJ Community, Qbert Skratch University. He has also influenced what is known as Pinay Hip Hop. Even today, the hip hop culture continues to flourish in Filipino and Filipino-American communities. With the growing international involvement, DJ Qbert is one of the role models Filipinos can look toward in this genre. His sites make it easier to gather knowledge and refine ones technique without any geographic barriers.

Other Trivia
Appeared in a number of documentaries and international films including:
Scratch
Battle Sounds
Hang the DJ
Modulations
Music Featured in video games Tony Hawk’s Underground and FreQuency

Awards
1991 Disco Mixing Club USA Champion
1992 Disco Mixing Club World Champion
1993 Disco Mixing Club World Champion
1994 Disco Mixing Club World Champion
1998 Disco Mixing Club DJ Hall of Fame award

-JP

Pacquiao aka "The Greatness"

Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, also known as Manny “Pac-man” Pacquiao, is a professional boxer. He is the first man to win seven world boxing titles in seven different weight divisions: flyweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight, and welterweight. This pound-for-pound king is also the only boxer to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. Furthermore, after his fifth win, he became the only Filipino and Asian boxer to win those five world titles in five different weight classes. He was also first Filipino fighter to win a lightweight world title. While his accomplishments have made his name known world-wide, they have served a double purpose: Pacquaio has given Filipinos a hero.

(Photo courtesy of zimbio.com, by: Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America)

He is a talented fighter who set the bar for other Asian boxers; it is amazing to see how his fame has given millions of Filipino-Americans something to cheer about. However, it has also hindered progress in other aspects of his life. Although famous, his celebrity status seems to lay only in the ring. His movies flop, his political endeavors were frowned upon, and his interviews lie with smaller scale American talk-shows. Devoted Pacquaio fans wish for him to only pursue his sports career because it is obviously something he can do well. It is almost like a parent-son relationship, in which the parent pushes the child towards the goals already set for him because it is “what is best.” In this case, “what is best” seems to be influenced by the fact that it also gives the Philippines publicity throughout the boxing world. Pacquiao is easily one of the best in the sport. It is a way for a proud parent to say, “Look at what I have created. Look at my kid. He is the best, and everyone should know it.” He has become someone to brag about, a role model, a hero, a way for Filipino Americans to tie themselves to their culture.

To understand why he is so idolized, one must not only understand Pacquiao's history, but his people's history as well. The fact that the Philippines has been colonized twice is an important fact to understanding the Philippines' past and present. Because of Spain, who burned documents and erased almost everything before their arrival, most of what can be uncovered begins with the Spanish colonization. The American colonization occurs after, followed by the Japanese occupation. This is a story that begins with three hostile take-overs. In addition, the Filipinos were not only betrayed by outsiders but under President Marcos, they suffered a dictatorship as well. With all this corruption and violence, it is no wonder that Filipinos look up to Manny Pacquaio. Here is a man who literally fought his way to the top. And while there are many who see this as an irony and do not condone the sport, the drastic difference in the use of violence should be noted. Whereas Americans ordered their military to shoot anyone over 10 years old, Pacquaio fights for honor. His lineal championship shows that he is not the type of person to pick on the weak. With seven titles, and numerous other accomplishments, this renowned boxer does more than prove his own worth; as a representative of the Philippines, he shows the potential of the entire country.

After winning his seventh title, Pacquaio states that it will be his last weight division. He ends, “It's history for me; and more importantly, a Filipino did it.”

Accomplishments

• Pacquiao was listed in Time Magazine as one of the world's most influential people for 2009
• He was also in Forbes Magazine's Celebrity 100 list as the world's sixth highest-paid athlete
• Pacquiao is the first Filipino athlete to appear on a postage stamp
• With 1.25 million buys, the Pacquiao v. Cotto fight was the most watched boxing event of 2009
• Pacquiao had also won the the title of Best Fighter in the 2009 ESPY Awards
• He is featured in boxing video games, such as the Fight Night Round 2 – Fight Night Round 4 series
  

(Photo courtesy of philstar.com)

Unsuccessful Attempts

• The film, Pacquiao:The Movie (2006), which was played by an actor, did not do well at the box office, grossing less than $100,000
• He lost the election of becoming the representative of South Cotabato by 37,000 votes
• Pacquiao tries to star in the action movie, Anak ng Kumander (2008), which does poorly
  

(Photo courtesy of pinoycentral.com)

Why We Still Love Him

(Photo courtesy of boxnews.com)

Jabba-whaaat?

The JabbaWockeeZ are a dance group, known for winning MTV's America's Best Dance Crew: Season One. During their performances, they are known for wearing white masks and gloves, which makes audiences focus on the dancing and the teamwork involved. An important aspect of the masks is that a specific member cannot be targeted because of identical appearances. If one messes up, he can manage to blend in with the rest of the group. (Photo courtesy of hiphopstyler.com)

The group consists of ten members; five are Filipino, including: Rainen Paguio, Chris Gatdula, Phil Tayag. Randy Bernal, and Joe Larot. Although three out of the six performing on ABDC were Filipino, the team is known to be predominantly Filipino, and the name of the group was associated as such. In a sense, the popular show gave Filipinos exposure throughout all of the United States. Media has played a huge part in this, influencing Filipino Americans by exposing talented people of their culture. Although Filipinos are the second largest Asian community in the United States and have been dancing for years, it is interesting to see how much publicity needed to be generated in order to gain the nation's attention. This particular dance crew reached millions of viewers, who turned into millions of fans, wearing shirts proudly displaying their name. The JabbaWockeeZ were special because although they didn't exactly begin a dance movement, their publicity now influences our generation of Filipino Americans who are gaining more respect as dancers – ironic, considering their past.

Historically, Filipinos came to America and had to work low-paying jobs. They experienced a lot of racism, and were stereotyped to be wild and barbaric. A characteristic that helped attribute to this was their affinity for dancing. Beginning in the 1920s until the early 1930s, Filipino men frequented areas called taxi dance-halls. These men came to pay and dance with women as a way to relieve stress and let loose after a hard day's work. These halls were present mostly in the city, where Filipinos migrated for job opportunities. At these popular American institutions, nearly a quarter of its attendees were Filipinos. It was a form of socialization for the immigrants, who were usually denied entry into other areas. Filipinos would purchase dance tickets, select a woman within the group of taxi dancers, and dance with her to a live band. Dancing was a form of relaxation, and Filipinos were good at it. However, their dancing skills drew attention from both taxi dancers and other patrons – particularly white males. This talent threatened them, who began fights out of jealousy. They claimed the dancing was lewd, even sexual. However, it was actually the women who were aggressive; they were highly attracted to these polite, talented dancers. After a while, too much violence erupted, and many dance-halls began to turn Filipinos away. This was a double blow; not only did they lose a popular source of socialization, but it was due to envy over their ability to dance well. White Americans could not stand the idea that these poor, immigrant workers could possibly excel at anything, much less a harmless recreational activity.

The interest in dancing may have started when the Filipino immigrants began to assimilate to the westernized world, focusing on popular culture. Or it may have evolved from a gene, rooted from the Tribal dances of their ancestors. Or perhaps because the Filipino society embraces dancing, children were taught at a young age. Regardless, there is one thing for certain: whether it is a Filipino's love of dancing, singing, emceeing, or deejaying, their musical talents thrive. Today, dancing is a talent that is appreciated throughout the country. It is seen as beautiful and artistic. Numerous colleges focus on dance, and most high schools have programs available for students who wish to learn it. There are careers as dance teachers, as well as dancers in different genres. Specifically, many Filipinos are known for their talent in hip-hop dancing. This became known to the general public when the group, JabbaWockeeZ, became the first winner of MTV's ABDC. With a prize of $100,000 and massive amounts of publicity, they won their well-deserved fame. JabbaWockeeZ showcased their unbelievable talent, and were brought to the top by American voters and judges. It was not just Filipino-Americans who stood in awe, but the majority of whoever followed the show and decided to show support. This team does more than symbolize the Filipinos' assimilation into the American culture, and does more than display Filipino ability; it is a progressive step in which America gives Filipinos respect, and applauds them for their success.

Appearances in America

• Appeared in a Pepsi and Gatorade commercial
• Guest Performance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
• Guest Performance on Live with Regis and Kelly
• Cameo in the movie Step Up 2: The Streets
• Launched clothing line
• Performed at the University of Florida's "Gator Growl"

(Photo courtesy of deviantart.com)

Appearances in the Philippines

• Balitang America appearance on The Filipino Channel (TFC)
• Appeared on Adobo Nation on TFC
• Guest performance on Wowowee

Post by: A.C.B

Monique Lhuillier

Born in 1971 in Cebu City, Philippines, Monique Lhuillier is a Filipina Fashion designer based in the United States. She was born to Michel Lhuillier and Amparito Llamas, a Filipina society figure and former model of Spanish-Cebuana descent. Their family owns a popular chain of pawnshop in more than a hundred cities in the Philippines.

It was her mother’s glamorous sense of style and the constant travelling around the world that sparked interest in her pursuing a career in fashion. She was an outstanding student in Switzerland and hoped to excel in the fashion industry so her parents sent her to the FIDM and met her future husband, Tom Bugbee. They opened their own company in 1996 and launched their first briday collection which was well received by fashion-savvy brides, editors, and celebrities.

When Monique finally graduated and looked for a job, she realized that there were not so much quality couture companies in the LA metro. Unwilling to leave for New York, Monique took a design position at a French company that specialized in better evening wear separates.

Shortly after her engagement, Monique decided to take some time off and plan the wedding. During her dress search, her focus on the wedding business was reborn. She was determined to be part of it and make it better.

The breakthrough came after Monique designed the gowns for her wedding entourage. These captured the fancy of couture circles. Having had a difficult time finding her own gown, Monique, 23 at that time, decided to begin sketching her own line of dresses. And it was then when her husband figured it was more than just a hobby.

Making a name for herself, Monique had designed gowns for celebrities like Sarah Gore, Heidi Montag, and Britney Spears. One of her gowns was worn by Hilary Duff in A Cinderella Story.



Monique received the 2001 Glamorous bridal designer award, the 2002 Avant Garde bridal designer award, and the 2003 designer of the year award from wedding dresses magazine and the bridal industry members. In 2003 she was also inducted as a new member of the Council of Fashion Designers in America.

Subsequently, Monique added evening wear to her line, and several of her efforts showed up on red carpets before awards shows. For the fall 2007 season she branched off into more typical runway collections.

On February 2nd of the 2007 Fashion Week Spring Collection at the New York fashion week, she introduced mostly sophisticated and fluid looks.

-CA

Alec Mapa and the LGBT Movement

Alec Mapa is an openly gay Filipino American actor, comedian, and writer. He has recurring roles in “Desperate Housewives” and “Ugly Betty” where the characters he plays are flamboyantly homosexual. Mapa has been recognized by the LGBT community as an outspoken promoter of equal rights. His identity as a gay Filipino American is significant in this regard: large parts of the Filipino community are anti-gay rights according to their religious dogmas, and for Mapa to stand up as the gay Filipino American posterchild really enables the gay Filipino minority to be comfortable with their identities.

Alec Mapa, gay Filipino American actor

The LGBT equal rights movement has really been picking up in recent years, and Mapa's visibility on national television lends to society's perception of LGBT community as a normal part of everyday life (which it is, but isn't perceived as). Though gay rights have suffered in the past couple years' elections, Mapa's and others' dedication to the cause has not wavered. Beyond just representing the LGBT community on television, Mapa participates in fund raising events to raise money for equal rights.

Mapa with cast members of "Ugly Betty"

Part of the growth of the LGBT movement is due to national exposure of a wide spectrum of sexual identities. However, playing a flamboyantly gay character is extremely challenging to do because the character potentially can scare off the audience. It's one thing for the audience to find out that a character is gay and be comfortable with it, but another thing entirely to know from first glance that a character is gay and be comfortable with it. Mapa has a very good way of representing the flamboyant lifestyle while making the characters palatable to a potentially anti-gay audience. In this respect, Mapa can lend support to gay Filipino American and Asian Americans who are coming to terms with their identities. Also, he helps society identify with having the LGBT community as an integral part of society.

Mapa on set of "Desperate Housewives" with Eva Longoria

As a gay Filipino American playing gay characters on national television, Alec Mapa has lent considerable support to the LGBT community. He and other actors and actresses have been doing their part to bring awareness of the LGBT community and cultural acceptance and equal rights for all. Mapa's role in bringing awareness has been particularly helpful in the Asian American community, where being openly gay can be very hard to do and be supported due to the anti-gay posturing of the culture as a whole. Hopefully, with time, Mapa's efforts will shine through and the LGBT community will gain the equal rights and cultural acceptance they deserve.

Mapa at the GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Awards with Kate Walsh

-RZ

Apl. De. Ap.'s BEBOT

Apl. De. Ap.’s song “Bebot” from the 2005 Black Eyed Peas album Monkey Business sparked controversy for this two music videos. Pat Ginelsa, the director of “The Apl Song” and the award winning film “The Debut”, directed and shot Bebot “Generation One” and “Generation Two”.

The first of these two music videos, “Generation One”, pays tribute to the history of the Filipino American male worker. Set in Stockton, which is often noted as an important site for Filipino “bachelor communities”, the music video follows Apl as a agricultural laborer leaving the fields after a lone day and then going to a Taxi Dancehall. It is in this space that the bulk of the video takes place.

Personally, I like this video a lot more on several levels. First, I feel like the video is far more aesthetically pleasing and more in line with Pat Ginelsa’s work. Secondly, I really enjoy the way that Apl. De. Ap., Pat Ginelsa, and the rest of the Black Eyed Peas (though their roles in this music video are to be like Fergie in every video) offer an alternative history lesson using their popularity. Finally, I like this video more because it’s not filled with fleshy gyrating female bodies, but shows both men and women dancing in pleasure. Also, I like their red lipstick!

I feel like “Generation One” of the “Bebot” music videos also stays more true to way that the Black Eyed Peas reached high commercial success. Well, it stays more true to their roots. I guess “Generation Two” can be summed up as the entry of Fergilicious. Apl. De. Ap. and Will. I. Am. (in both their oldly named glory) started a B-Boy dance crew called Tribal Nation in the 90’s. They performed around Southern California. DJ Icey Ice, when he came to talk about Filipin@s in Hip Hop, talked about how the early stages of the Black Eyed Peas would perform at his parties. I feel like “Generation One” is more authentic.

On the other hand, “Generation Two” is the pop culture new and less true performative version. I feel like even though it is the exact same song playing, the music video destroys the vibe of the song and distorts it into another music video that I could pass on. I have several issues with this music video. The role of Apl’s mother, or maybe even the “thick accented Aunt”, plays on a stereotype of the Filipina American, which is often also documented in Pilipino Culture Nights. Secondly, the video revolves around the performing female body. It’s difficult to believe that the music video is not “objectifying women” as the notes before the video state. Finally, I just don’t like the bright colors as much. I feel like they are distracting and borderline irritating.

I’m not making the stance that music videos cannot be contemporary, but rather that “Generation Two” leaves me feeling a bit disappointed. I wonder whether progressive artists that I know, who work the activist networks, would be just as willing to sacrifice the integrity of their history to make a video that would receive more airtime. Whether their popularity must come at the expense of women?

Apl.de.ap still does great work for the Filipin@ and Filipin@ American community. He started the Apl Foundation, which gives back to communities and children within the Philippines and throughout Asia. He also started his own music company called Jeepney Music, Inc., handling DJs such as Free School, DJ Rockyrock, DJ MIA, and PoetNameLife.



-GY

Dual Citizenship – Reclaiming the Filipino identity

Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003
On August 29, 2003, the government of the Philippines passed Republic Act No. 9225 also known as the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003. This law allows natural-born Filipinos the opportunity to retain or re-aquire their Filipino citizenship in addition to the citizenship of their resident country. Essentially, dual citizenship already existed due to operation of nationality laws. For instance, a child born in the United States to Filipino parents is considered an American citizen according to jus soli, place of birth, and a Philippine citizen by jus sanguinis, citizenship of parents. However, citizenship in the past has been lost due to naturalization in another country.

After the passage of R.A. 9225, citizenship is no longer lost upon naturalization as the natural-born Filipino retain citizenship. In addition, natural-born Filipinos can re-acquire their lost citizenship through an application process. Residency is not a requirement for application as there are methods of applying while overseas in addition to within the Philippines.

Implications for Filipino-Americans
If a Filipino-American qualifies as a natural-born Filipino, they can apply to dual citizenship and regain full civil, economic, and political rights under existing laws of the Philippines. This includes but is not limited to the right to own property in the Philippines, right to acquire a Philippine passport, and right to vote in elections. Other citizenship duties such as income tax are only applied to income earned from the Philippines. A professional can also apply for licenses or permits to engage in their legal practice.

By having dual citizenship, Filipino-Americans are gaining a number of advantages. For instance, some Filipino-Americans wish to stay in the Philippines for extended periods of time. However, extending tourist visas can become extremely expensive and restrict the period of time a person can stay in the Philippines. By becoming a citizen, a person can automatically be allowed to stay for a year. This act also allows many to retire to the Philippines after spending a majority of their adult life in the United States. There are limitations of how much land a foreigner can purchase or invest in and citizenship removes these. There are also those that wish to become “Filipino” again and this allows them to do so. In a sense, it allows them to finally return home.

Requirements for applying for retention or re-acquisition of Filipino citizenship
As according to the Commission on Filipinos Overseas
Duly completed verified petition
Notarized Oath of Allegiance

"I, ________________, solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and obey the laws and local orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Philippines, and I hereby declare that I recognise and accept the supreme authority of the Philippines and will maintain true faith and allegiance thereto, and that I impose this obligation upon myself voluntarily without mental reservation or purpose of evasion."

Two (2) recent 2”x2” colored photographs of applicant
Application Fee (US$50 for overseas applicants or PhP 2,500 for Philippine based applicants)
Proof as natural born Filipino citizen, an original or photocopy of at least one of the following:

a. Philippine birth certificate
b. old Philippine passport
c. voter’s affidavit or voter’s identification card
d. marriage contract
e. other documents proving that the applicant is a former natural born Filipino citizen

photocopy of foreign passport
photocopy of certificate of naturalization or an original affidavit stating how foreign citizenship was acquired
two self-addressed and stamped legal size envelopes

Summary of process


Sites to visit
www.ecensus.com.ph - Birth certificates can be requested through the NSO website
www.immigration.gov.ph - R.A. 9226 Form No. 1 can be downloaded from here
www.dfa.gov.ph - contact information and addresses for Philippine Embassies and Consulates where applications can be filed